Your Historic Castle & Cattle Ranch Landmark in Douglas County, Colorado
Cherokee Castle is a rare example of a 15th century castle. Standing tall, built of locally sourced rhyolite and petrified wood, the Castle houses a collection of world-class art, antiques, and rare books, serving as a public host for an array of cultural, scientific and civic events, while the expansive property of Cherokee Ranch sustains habitats for native wildlife, flora and fauna, embodying the heritage of the west.
The Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation is committed to preserving the natural environment, enhancing cultural life in Colorado and providing educational opportunities devoted to western heritage, wildlife, and the arts.
Our History
Cherokee Ranch & Castle includes land that originally belonged to two separate homesteads in the late 1890s: the Flower Homestead and the Blunt Homestead. The Johnson Family purchased the Flower Homestead in 1924 and built the Castle. They sold the property to Tweet Kimball in 1954. Tweet purchased adjacent land that had been the Blunt Homestead and renamed both pieces of land Cherokee Ranch, which today includes 3,400 acres.
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Cattle Ranching
When Tweet Kimball introduced the Santa Getrudis cattle breed to Douglas County, cattle ranching in Colorado was forever changed. Her legacy lives on today as part of the CRCF commitment. Tweet's beloved cherry-red Santas are on display in their natural environment for anyone to see. Tweet once said, "Good cows are like building blocks of a strong house; when you put them together properly, they are the source of security and wealth".
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Scientific Investigation
Cherokee Ranch Science Institute (CRSI) was created in 2013 with the primary purpose of conducting rigorous research in geology, archaeology and petrified wood in the south Denver Basin and share its findings with the public. The institute supports all science-related and educational programs. A peer review paper about the mineralogy of paleocene petrified wood from the Cherokee Ranch petrified wood forest will be published in 2019.
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Children & Youth Programs
Princess and Super Hero Parties
Give your child their very own fairytale or super hero experience at a real Castle! Your child will enjoy performances, craft or games, photo opportunities, fancy snacks, beverages, and mingling with costumed characters based on creative and unique themes. Scroll through our Event List to find a Sunday Princess or Super Hero Party.
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Community Report 2019
A letter from James Holmes, Executive Director.
On behalf of the board of directors and our staff, we are proud to present this report as we assess long-term objectives and explore the tremendous potential before Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation (CRCF). We are grateful to you, our community stakeholders who make it all possible. As you share this historic landmark with friends, attend programs and give generous financial support, personally or through your business, your meaningful contributions are positioning CRCF for a sustainable future.
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Preserving History
With generous support of sponsors and donors we restore historic structures such as the Wauhatchie Barn. These structures and natural resources benefit the community through educational programs, cultural performances, scientific exploration, land conservation, and wildlife preservation. Consider becoming a donor today, click here to add your support.
Ranching Legacy
We continue to care for Tweet’s beloved Santa Gertrudis herd and offer agricultural programs to teach youth to respect the land, and at Ranch Headquarters, more humane cattle handling system inspired by the work of Dr. Temple Grandin has been installed.
